Hello, we’re having some sparse data based on dates, and wanted to display it as a timeseries. However, when using a bar chart or a line chart, the axis only shows the dates that actually have data. How can we also display the dates that do NOT have datapoints associated to them? It is a very common request, that we got multiple times by now, and we didn’t find a chart option to do that. Would that be doable with custom metrics or computed attributes?

Hi Tomas, the IFNULL statement allows you to predefine how the GoodData platform addresses any missing values that are returned by an expression. If a metric expression that is wrapped within an IFNULL statement ever returns a null value, the replacement number specified in the second parameter of the IFNULL function is inserted in place of the null value. More details on this can be found here: https://help.gooddata.com/doc/enterprise/en/dashboards-and-insights/maql-analytical-q[…]language/maql-expression-reference/logical-functions/ifnull/

OK, so if I have data for lets say “order count” for August 3rd, 10th, and 11th, and I wrap that in an IFNULL, I’ll see a chart spanning the whole august?

Although you will not have any data for the other dates, if you use the IFNULL function it will force the missing dates to be shown in your chart - Your metric would look something like:

SELECT IFNULL(COUNT(Order), 0)

ok, lets try that

Can you try the following to try and force the 0 to display - please try and update your metric to something like:

SELECT IFNULL(COUNT(Order), 0)*1

In some cases, the *1 forces 0 to appear even when there is no data. can you please try and give this a go?

Interesting. Will try as well

Thanks for letting me know that it worked and for your feedback - Have a great rest of the day 🙂